How long does it usually take to get pregnant?

It’s impossible to say how long it takes to get pregnant because it’s different for each woman.

Many factors can affect a couple's chances of conceiving, such as:

your age

your general health

your reproductive health

how often you have sex

Some women become pregnant quickly, while others take longer. This may be upsetting, but it’s normal.

Fertility

Most couples (about 84 out of every 100) will get pregnant within a year if they have regular sex and don’t use contraception. However, women become less fertile as they get older. One study found that among couples having regular unprotected sex:

aged 19-26 – 92% will conceive after one year and 98% after two years

aged 35-39 – 82% will conceive after one year and 90% after two years

The effect of age on men’s fertility is less clear.

What does ‘have regular sex’ mean?

Having regular sex means having sex every two to three days throughout the month.

Some couples may try to time having sex with when the woman ovulates (releases an egg). However, guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that this can be stressful and is not recommended.